James J. Jaeke

James J. Jaeke, age 59, of Crofton, Nebraska, died Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at his home.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM on Monday, October 28, 2024, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Yankton, South Dakota, with Reverend Darin Schmidt officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 AM on Monday at the church. Burial will be at a later date in the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington, Nebraska.

James J. Jaeke was born June 20, 1965, in Omaha, Nebraska, to James Keith and Elaine (Heine) Jaeke. He grew up in Omaha and attended Creighton Prep graduating in 1984. He then attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he was involved with ROTC and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Engineering. After graduating he went to work for Ag Processing Inc. in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa and also joined the Iowa Reserves where he served for ten years. He was called up during Desert Storm and served as a captain in the army and received many awards during his time in the army. After the war, Jim returned to work with AGP, but this time out of their Omaha headquarters. He married Sandy Mayer on May 27, 2000 and together had their one daughter, Samantha. After Jim retired he moved to the Crofton, Nebraska area.

Jim loved fishing! He loved being in Northeast Nebraska, which he called God’s country and enjoyed being close to the lake. He also enjoyed hunting, gardening, animals and praying with his rosary group.

Survivors include his daughter, Samantha Jaeke of Omaha, Nebraska; mother, Elaine Hodge of Bennington, Nebraska; brother, Patrick (Debi) Jaeke of Elkhorn, Nebraska; sister, Ann (Brian) Passow of Peoria, Arizona; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and father, James Keith Jaeke.